NUI Galway Students’ Union, GMIT Students’ Union and Please Talk have joined forces to raise mental health awareness for students with a new campaign called ‘Mental Health Mondays’ which starts today. This awareness campaign will look at a particular theme each week that affects college students and their mental health. Topics the campaign will cover include settling into college, substance abuse, self-esteem, gambling, mental health supports and looking after your mental health.

Funding for the campaign was raised by a special screening of “Meetings with Ivor” in the Town Hall Theater Galway organised by film producer Tomas Hardiman and Town Hall Manager, Fergal McGrath.

Emma-Louise Duffy, Welfare Officer of GMIT SU said: ““This project highlights how we all have mental health and just like our bodies, some of us are in better shape than others. That’s okay. It’s about teaching people the self-awareness to identify that, and how to signpost the places that you can get care when you need it. Monday can be a hard day for students, they might be feeling homesick after leaving their family at the weekend, or worried about the week ahead. Whatever the feeling is, we want to shed some light, alert people that there are supports in place, and ultimately bring a bit of cheeriness into our students Monday morning!”

Clare Austick, Welfare and Equality Officer of NUIGSU, had this to say:

“Mental health campaigns are extremely important as there is an evident negative stigma attached to it. When you think of physical health, everyone immediately thinks of different types of sport, happiness and endorphins whereas when you mention mental health, you’re more inclined to think of the negative aspects such as depression, anxiety and suicide. It really shouldn’t be like that – everyone has mental health. If you’re feeling down, reach out and talk to someone. There are so many different support services for students to avail of.”

According to Treasa Hanniffy, National Please Talk Officer: “This campaign will highlight several areas of importance for student mental health and will remind everyone that talking to someone that you trust really helps. There is support available no matter what you are going through. For more information visit www.pleasetalk.org or call to your Students’ Union.”

NUI Galway Students’ Union presents comedians Alison Spittle and Kevin McGahern at 8pm this Monday 24th of September in the O’Flaherty Theatre. Tickets are €5 and are on sale now from the SU Office (Mon-Fri 10am-5pm).

SU Elections Update – How To Vote on Thursday

We will be holding our Elections next Thursday 27th of September 10am-6pm to elect the new SU Vice President/Education Officer and the first SU Ethnic Minorities Officer. You will be able to vote in Smokey’s Café and Áras na Mac Léinn just remember to bring your NUIG ID with you to vote.

If you won’t be on campus to vote on Thursday please register before midnight on Wednesday 26th of September for a Remote Vote via the Students’ Union website. Once you are registered you can then log on to the SU Website 10am-6pm Thursday 27th of September to vote.

Connacht Rugby Tickets Discount Code

There are 50 reduced rate NUIG Student tickets available online using the following code for the Connacht vs Scarlets match NUIG-Scarlets-1819

Please note that all purchasers will have to show valid student ID on the night to gain entry to the match at the Sportsground on College Road, failure to do this will result in payment of the difference.

We have joined with Shaolin MMA to offer a two hour Mixed Martial Arts for Self Defence Course for just €5! Sign up in the SU now as spaces are limited. The course takes place 6pm-7pm next Tues 25th Sept and Tues 2nd Oct.

Come join Camp Leaders in The View upstairs in Áras na Mac Léinn at 6pm TONIGHT Thursday 20th September to find out all about your J1 opportunities and how to get to America to have the summer of a lifetime!

Financial Aid Fund Applications are OPEN

The Financial Aid Fund is a scheme aimed at disadvantaged students who require financial support to enable them to fully benefit from their studies. Applications close at 12noon on Monday 1st of October. Apply online HERE. Please email financialaid@nuigalway.ie with any queries.

Apply online now for your shiny new Student Leap Card and upload your photo. You can then call to the Students’ Union office upstairs in Áras na Mac Léinn between 10am and 5pm Monday to Friday with your code, your ID and €10 to collect your card. These are valid until the 31st of December 2019.

Class Representatives

Every class is entitled to a Class Representative to represent their class. If your class does not have a Class Rep your voice will not be heard. If you have any questions on the roles and responsibilities of a Class Rep contact the SU on studentsunion@nuigalway.ie . Further information regarding the role of Class Reps is also available in the SU Council section of our website here.

Bus To March For Choice

We are organising a bus to the National March for Choice in Dublin on Saturday 29th of September. Return bus tickets are €2 and are available from the SU Office. NUIG student ID required. Bus leaves The Quad NUIG at 9.30am and returns from St Stephen’s Green at 5pm sharp. For more information contact su.president@nuigalway.ie

From Monday 1st October to Sunday 11th November we are challenging staff and students to ‘Reboot Their Commute’. Choose from walking, running, cycling, public transport or carpooling, or mix it up throughout the challenge.

Get Active & Win – Additional prizes each week for clocking up steps or KMs cycled.

Refer a friend and be in with a chance of winning a €50 shopping voucher & goodie pack. Enter Here.

Books – Buy & Sell

Remember we sell second-hand books to save you a bit of cash and we can also sell them on your behalf to make you some cash! Have a look at our second-hand bookshop for more information on buying or selling here.

Comedy Tickets Winner

Congratulations to Ryan Conaty who has won two tickets to our Comedy Gig on Monday by correctly naming the SU President as Megan Reilly.

Swimming Lessons Update

There are still some spaces left in the Swimming Clubs Learn To Swim course. Email swimming@clubs.nuigalway.ie straight away to get a place.

Our Vintage Clothes Fair is back on Tuesday 9th of October in Áras na Mac Léinn.

Do you think the Leaving Cert needs to change?

You can help us to tell the Minister for Education that reform is needed and be a part of making change for future Leaving Cert students. Please take a few minutes to fill in this quick survey: HERE.

The survey will be included in a national report that teachers and students will present to Minister Richard Bruton!

Sustainability Showcase

NUI Galway are hosting a sustainability showcase event in the O’Donoghue Theatre on Wednesday September 26th called Our Sustainability Journey. The event will share sustainability related research taking place on the NUI Galway campus in a relevant and accessible way and demonstrate the relevance of sustainability in everyday living. This is a free event but booking is essential so please book your ticket here

Porn as Sex Education Survey

Students aged 18+ are invited to take part in our anonymous online questionnaire about pornography. If you agree to participate you will be asked questions about what you have learned about sex from pornography, how you feel about your body and your sexual satisfaction. The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete. Please click on the link to go to the survey! Survey Link.

University Breastfeeding Meeting

Please join us at AC203 12pm-2pm on the third Wednesday of every month for:

Cuppa, biscuits and chat

Information on breastfeeding

Mother-to-mother support

All mothers, babies and toddlers, expectant women, grandmothers, and female supporters are most welcome. Contact anne.fallon@nuigalway.ie

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Classes

Free English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classes available to all full-time international students at NUI Galway

The Lamp is an international literary journal dedicated to showcasing the creative writing of graduate and professional students. If you write poetry, short fiction, scripts, creative nonfiction, or any other form of textual art, please submit your work to The Lamp at thelampeditor@gmail.com. The deadline is December 14th, 2018. To learn more about The Lamp, visit www.thelampjournal.com

As luxury student accommodation appears across the city, it seems students would be better off taking out a mortgage instead of renting in the current climate.

Today, NUI Galway Students’ Union and GMIT Students’ Union have strongly criticised prices of ‘luxury’ student accommodation popping up across the city. This comes after new student accommodation has been advertised on the market at €250 per week in the city centre and from another complex directed towards students on Bohermore at a price of €200 per week.

Aaron Burke, President of GMIT Students’ Union, said: ‘Students are not cash cows and this can bring extreme pressure on both parents and students, especially when people are struggling to stay in college. The rate of the grant has not increased since 2012 yet rental prices have increased year on year for six years straight. This kind of accommodation far exceeds the already high rental prices that exist in the city.’

Megan Reilly, President of NUI Galway Students’ Union, added; ‘We cannot stand by these luxury student accommodation providers taking advantage of the current crisis. At this rate, people could be paying up to €1,250 a month for one room in one apartment; some people wouldn’t even pay that on their mortgage monthly. At the other end of the spectrum we have students who are living in hostels or commuting hours to go to college because they can’t afford to live in Galway.’

Both Unions, together with the One Galway Movement, are planning a Crisis Campout in Eyre Square on Tuesday the 11th of September to shed light on the need for purpose built student housing and social housing in general.

Sin Newspaper is the official Student Newspaper of NUI Galway. A fortnightly publication published by the Students’ Union, the paper includes a mix of campus news, features, sport and reviews.

Sin.ie is the online information resource of NUI Galway Students’ Union. The website will include up to date news and features and will be a comprehensive information and resource centre for NUI Galway students with regards to college and local news in particular.

The Sin Editor will be a self starter who works well with others and has particular strengths in working with, and motivating a team of volunteers.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Recruit, direct and motivate a team of voluntary sub editors and writers.

Overall responsibility for sourcing newspaper and website content

Maintain a high standard of writing in both Sin Newspaper and Sin Website

Edit 12 issues of Sin Newspaper in conjunction with the Students’ Union

Update Sin.ie website and social media platforms regularly with news, features etc

Work with the Graphic Designer to ensure consistent design and layout

Develop links with other student publications to facilitate sharing of information and resources

Oversee distribution of Sin Newspaper across campus

Any other duties which may be assigned from time to time

Remuneration

€500 stipend per issue.

Applications

Please include the following:

Cover letter

CV

A sample proposal outlining a plan of action of how you would manage Sin Newspaper over the next academic year. This should include your plans for writer recruitment and retention, format of Sin, general promotion of Sin, and any other information you consider relevant

Nominations for the 14 SU Part Time Officer Positions are now open. You can pick up a nomination form in the SU Office or on our website just make sure to get it back to the box in the SU Office before 5pm TODAY Wednesday 28th of March! The elections will take place 10am-8pm on Thursday 12th of April.

The School of Political Science and Sociology will be piloting the CÉIM academic peer learning programme in 2018/19, and 1st and 2nd year Political Science and Sociology students are currently being sought to act as CÉIM leaders. The role involves meeting weekly with 1st year students to help them transition successfully to NUI Galway, get to grips with coursework and meet new people. Benefits of becoming a leader: intensive free leadership and facilitation training; develop your leadership, teamwork and communication skills; boost your CV; meet new people; and receive a CÉIM leadership certificate, digital badge and the NUI Galway President’s Award. Closing date: NOON on Thursday, 12 April.

If you won’t be on campus to vote in the #NUIGSU18 Part Time Officer elections and Referendum on Thursday 12th of April you can register for a remote vote up until midnight on Wednesday 11th of April on the SU Website. You can then log on to vote between 10am-8pm on Thursday 12th of April. Please note Remote Vote is not available for Societies Chair/Clubs Captain elections and polling for these positions will take place 10am-6pm in An Bialann Thurs 12th April.

The Green Campus team are drafting an application for the Green Campus flag. We need to provide examples of staff and student involvement with the Campus and Wider Community and also how we are linking to learning on campus. This includes any relevant events such as campaigns/initiatives, projects completed, media coverage, public engagement, workshop etc. in any sustainability related aspect such as Energy, Biodiversity, Waste, Water, Travel etc. To help us capture this information we have put together a short form which should not take more than 5-10 minutes to complete.

USI along with trade unions like ASTI, TUI, INTO, and ICTU are launching something big to improve the lives of all student teachers in Ireland. USI want to share your stories with the media, and for you to talk to the media about your experiences of trying to be a top class teacher. USI want to hear from you and your experience of working during college, or as a recent graduate. USI is looking for stories on issues of pay, hours of work, working during college placement, issue of cost of living, receiving the SUSI grant, burden of fees, issues with rent, travel or other means of living, emigration for better paid work, experiences of working and academic life etc.

A limited number of write-up bursaries are being offered to address the problems being encountered by PhD students who are near to completing their theses yet who find themselves, for whatever reason, without funding. Contact graduatestudies@nuigalway.ie with queries

Have you responded to the recent survey from ISS on IT Services at NUI Galway? If not click on the link above to let us know how we can improve our services for students and be in with a chance to win a Smartphone.

NUI Galway Easter Holiday Arrangements 2018

Teaching ends on Sat 24th of March for the Easter Holidays and teaching resumes Mon 9th April.

Field Trips (where applicable) take place Mon 26th March – Thurs 29th March.

The Students’ Union Office will close at 5pm on Weds 28th March and will reopen at 10am on Weds 4th April. Opening hours 10am-12.30pm & 2pm-4.30pm 4th, 5th & 6th April.

The Students’ Union Engineering Desk will close at 3pm on Fri 23rd March and reopen at 11am on Mon 9th April.

The Students’ Union Cloakroom will close at 6pm on Fri 23rd March and reopen at 9am on Thurs 12th April.

The Students’ Union Shop will be closed Fri 30th March-Mon 2nd April inclusive and will re-open Tues 3rd April.

Sult will be closed from Fri 30th March and will re-open on Tues 3rd April.

Caifé na Gaeilge will close on Fri 23rd March and will re-open Mon 9th April.

Smokey’s Café will be closed Fri 30th March-Mon 2nd April inclusive and will re-open Tues 3rd April

The Wall Café will be open 9am-3pm on Fri 30th March & Sat 31st March. Closed Sun 1st April and open 11am-3pm Mon 2nd April.

Nominations for the 14 SU Part Time Officer Positions are now open. You can pick up a nomination form in the SU Office or on our website just make sure to get it back to the box in the SU Office before 5pm on Wednesday 28th of March! The elections will take place 10am-8pm on Thursday 12th of April.

To enter you need to research topics or share your personal experiences and create either: a short video, an audio podcast, a news article or a poster.

The themes are:

Club drugs – what are the risks?

Performance and Image Enhancing Drugs – what are the risks?

The deadline is the 9th of April 2018

National Conference: Students Living With Disabilities

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) are proud to partner with AHEAD (Association for Higher Education Access & Disability) to organise the ‘National Conference: Students Living With Disabilities’. Attendance is free and this event is open to any member of USI who identifies as living with a disability. The event will take place 10am-5.30pm Thursday, 29th March in the Gibson Hotel in Dublin.

Nominations for the 14 SU Part Time Officer Positions are now open. You can pick up a nomination form in the SU Office or on our website just make sure to get it back to the box in the SU Office before 5pm on Wednesday 28th of March! The elections will take place 10am-8pm on Thursday 12th of April.

To enter you need to research topics or share your personal experiences and create either: a short video, an audio podcast, a news article or a poster.

The themes are:

Club drugs – what are the risks?

Performance and Image Enhancing Drugs – what are the risks?

The deadline is the 9th of April 2018

National Conference: Students Living With Disabilities

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) are proud to partner with AHEAD (Association for Higher Education Access & Disability) to organise the ‘National Conference: Students Living With Disabilities’. Attendance is free and this event is open to any member of USI who identifies as living with a disability. The event will take place 10am-5.30pm Thursday, 29th March in the Gibson Hotel in Dublin.

SIPTU are on campus today 11am-12pm & 1pm-3pm at Smokey’s Café giving students information on their rights as workers, and campaigning to work towards living wages and to end zero hour contracts. You can get materials with additional information on workers’ rights in the Students’ Union.

Congratulations to your newly elected SU Officers for 2018/19 – SU President Megan Reilly, SU VP/Education Officer Louis Courtney, SU VP/Welfare and Equality Officer Clare Austick and SU Council Chair Sabrina Vaughan. They will all take up their positions on the 1st of July. Voting takes place on Thursday 12th of April to elect the other SU Officers who will be joining them.

The Student Achievement Awards is the annual opportunity for the Student Movement in Ireland to recognise the contribution of students to the life of Ireland and the student community. The deadline for nominations is 5pm this Friday 16th of March.

The next competition for our teams taking part in the NUIG Marchathon Challenge is to send in your Team In Green photo for the St Patrick’s Day themed photo competition before 2pm Tues 20th March! Email photos to: info@smartertravelcampus.ie

Do you have a Lecturer at NUIG who inspires you and brings learning to life?

Nominate them for the President’s Award for Teaching Excellence. Nomination deadline this Friday 16th March Students, staff and Alumni can nominate! Nominate them here!

National Conference: Students Living With Disabilities

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) are proud to partner with AHEAD (Association for Higher Education Access & Disability) to organise the ‘National Conference: Students Living With Disabilities’. Attendance is free and this event is open to any member of USI who identifies as living with a disability. The event will take place 10am-5.30pm Thursday, 29th March in the Gibson Hotel in Dublin.

The deadline for the EXPLORE Innovation Awards powered by Blackstone LaunchPad is 5pm Friday 16th of March. EXPLORE is looking for great ideas with real impact with three prizes for students of €2,000, €1,000 and €500. Visit www.nuigalway.ie/explore for more details.

What if there was a tool we could use to build peaceful and sustainable societies for all? In a world with growing inequalities, the Sustainable Development Goals may provide the means to overcome these challenges and to transform our communities. But… what are they? What do they mean to us? How can we put these Goals into practice? All students are invited to come along to this informal workshop on these 17 Global Goals. This fun and interactive session will share the basics of the Sustainable Development Goals and explore their relevance in our daily lives. Workshop takes place 6pm-7.30pm Thurs 22nd March in the ground floor meeting room in the Library. Hot Dinner will be served at 7.30pm! To book your slot in the workshop please email alive@nuigalway.ie

CompSoc Camara Collection
CompSoc are running their monthly Camara Drop-off Point in 18 Distillery Road starting next Wednesday 21st March 2017 from 10am to 1pm. They are also looking for volunteers to help out for an hour between 10am and 1pm. All computers, laptops, monitors, servers and keyboard donations are welcome. They are then sent to Dublin to be wiped to military standards before being sent to schools in Africa. We are unable to accept printers, CRT monitors, switches or projectors.

Call to Action! We Want to Hear Your Attitudes and Beliefs Towards People with Obesity.

We are currently conducting a study to assess the effectiveness of various interventions to address obesity stigma.

Share your knowledge, views, and beliefs about having healthy lifestyle discussions with overweight and obese pregnant women. The questionnaire will only take approximately 10 minutes to complete and you can be in a draw for one of two €50 ‘One4All’ shopping vouchers!

This survey was compiled by a group of four 2nd year biomedical science students who are working towards making Galway plastic free, it should take less than 3 minutes to complete and you could be in with a chance of winning a reusable cup! #BEWAREOFTHEPLASTICS

Nominations are open for Ireland’s Top Ten Outstanding Young People

Do you know someone who has achieved something special, has made a significant impact on society or has even improved the lives of others through their actions? If you do, don’t keep it a secret, nominate them for the JCI Ireland TOYP Awards.